Makah Music

     Music to the Makah Tribe is very special.  In the past Makah music was most important in ceremonies that would uphold the power and position of the chiefs, ceremonies for birth, puberty, marriage, and death, medicine and curing, hunting, secret society activities, whaling, fishing, games, warfare and recreation.  There is rules that are handed down to each generation about how to handle a song.
     In the past Makah people would teach the songs to the next generations by "Oral Tradition" which was singing the song so others could hear the song and learn it.  It also was the families responsibility to teach their children the songs and music traditions.  Each Family would own their own set of songs and pass those songs down throughout their family line.  One way the Makah tribe maintained a strong "singing tradition" was by having "Singing Sessions".  During these sessions the tribe members would gather at someones house and and spend the entire night singing the songs of the members who were there in attendance and also telling story.  This way the children were learning the songs while the adults were renewing the songs. 
    In today's time we have more technology so the children can learn the songs that have been previously recorded on tape recorders.  Although they still can use the oral method.  The elder members of the tribe enjoy teaching their grandchildren, they teach the children a little different then the parents.  The elders like to make the children ask questions and the elders will respond to those questions and teach the children the traditions.  As said in the past blog about the cultural survival, the Makah people sing these traditional songs at the annual Makah Days fair.  I would have liked to link a video of some tribal songs, but I couldn't find any online.  Ill post back if I have any luck in the future!